The lowdown: Among the newbies here, the dark horse is Reedus, who dug deep and showed his vulnerable side this season. But it was Stoll who really blew us away as a self-destructive politician who allowed himself to be manipulated into oblivion. He very nearly stole the show from Kevin Spacey.

The lowdown: Carpenter has never neen nominated, but deserves major props for the meatier material she took on in the serial-killer drama. It's Potter, however, who stands out here for her incredibly heart-wrenching turn as a wife and mother dealing with breast cancer. She had us blowing through the tissues at an alarming rate.

The lowdown: In recent years, the men of "Modern Family" have dominated this category and they may do so again. But not in my Emmy dreamland, where I've made room for welcome rookies like Driver and the long-overdue Helberg. The latter deserves a special trophy just for having to wear all those nerdy clothes every week. As for Driver, his bizarre character both amuses us and scares us at the same time. That takes talent.

The lowdown: Let's have a double shot of girl power from "The Big Bang Theory." (Inexplicably, Cuoco has never been nominated.) And speaking of double shots, we praise the glorious return of Walter who stood out once again in her intoxicating role. But we really want to shine the spotlight on the amazing Sher, who has yet to get any Emmy love for her brilliant turn as the socially awkward, but eternally hopeful, Sue Heck.